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A fire has ripped through a market in Bandarban’s Thanchi Upazila, burning down at least 13 shops.
The fire broke out in the early hours of Sunday in Bolipara Union's Bolibazar, according to Peer Mohammad, chief of the Thanchi Thana Fire Station.
"We left for Bolibazar immediately after receiving the call on the emergency number around 2:15 am. We reached the spot and began extinguishing efforts," he said.
“The flames were brought under control after one and a half hours. However, 13 shops in the market had been gutted by then.”
Local public representatives said the fire originated in a restaurant in the market, before rapidly spreading to nearby shops, reports bdnews24.com.
Ansingmya Marma, president ofthe market's traders' committee, said: "Since it was late at night, everyone was asleep. Suddenly, I heard a commotion from the southwest end of the market and came out of the shop and saw the fire.”
“We learnt that the fire started at the restaurant owned by Anil Kandidas.”
Manglung Marma, a resident of the adjacent Bagan Para neighbourhood, said: "Suddenly, I heard a commotion from the market and came out of my house and saw flames reaching the sky. Immediately, I took out my motorcycle and headed towards the market."
“People from nearby areas rushed in to douse the fire.”
Hlaiching Marma, a cloth trader who was affected by the fire, said: "It’s very unfortunate for me. In 2023, about 50 shops were burnt down in a fire at night. Now there's been another fire and this time, I didn’t get a chance to move my business materials to safety either.”
Bolipara Union Parishad Chairman Jia Aung Marma confirmed that a total of 13 shops were burnt in the fire.
"Measures will be taken to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance to the victims."
In May 2023, a devastating fire destroyed at least 50 shops, as well as residential houses.